Democrats unveil jobs bills

Madison -- Democratic lawmakers want to grow jobs by spending more money on worker training, making tax credits more accessible for small businesses and tech investors and making government buy American.

At the Capitol on Thursday, Democrats unveiled their package of jobs bills, which includes proposals backed in the past by GOP Gov. Scott Walker.

That doesn’t mean the bills have a clear path forward – many of the bills also failed to pass the Republican-controlled Legislature last session.

Democrats also didn’t offer a total cost for their jobs package or a way to cover the total amount of new spending or lost tax revenue.

Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) touted her proposal to make it easier for investors in early stage companies to receive tax credits through a popular state program, even if those investors they don’t owe any state taxes.

Being eligible for such cash payments from the state would give out of state "angel" investors a reason to check out deserving start-ups in Wisconsin, she said. Walker has backed the bill in the past.

“We ought to be passing this bill today,” Lassa said.

Lassa’s bill would not allocate any new tax credits but would make use of roughly $10 million to $15 million in unused tax credits that have already been authorized by lawmakers in previous legislation, she said.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) was unimpressed.

“Sitting down at a table and discussing proposals is a much more effective way to work on legislation than launching political attacks at a press conference," he said in a statement.

Other bills included proposals to increase funding for worker training and legislation to require state and local governments to buy products made in America where possible.

Another bill would make it easier for small businesses to obtain financing for an investment when they qualify for tax credits.

Currently, businesses have to make an investment and then apply for tax credits. But Rep. Fred Clark (D-Baraboo) said that he’s heard from business owners who say that they can’t claim the tax credit because they can't get financing from lenders to make the investment.

Clark’s proposal would allow small businesses to get a matching grant of up to 10% of an investment up front that could be part of a financing package, at a total cost of $8 million over two years. That cost would also come out of existing unused tax credits and would not involve allocating new ones, Clark said.

About Jason Stein

Jason Stein covers the state Capitol and is the author with his colleague Patrick Marley of "More than They Bargained For: Scott Walker, Unions and the Fight for Wisconsin." His work has been recognized by journalism groups such as the American Society of News Editors, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors.